Port Melbourne
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Princes Pier

The City of Port Phillip has welcomed the State Government budget announcement to add $20 million to the refurbishment of Port Melbourne’s historic Princes Pier.

“It’s been clear for some time that the original $14 million allocated by the State Government in 2006 wouldn’t be enough to finish the partial refurbishment of Princes Pier which began last year,” Mayor Frank O’Connor said.

“Both the council and local residents have been concerned as Princes Pier has played such a pivotal role in Australian trade, in farewelling so many soldiers in World War I and II and in welcoming millions of new migrants after World War II. The longer it was left unattended the greater the risk of fire or vandalism.

“We're delighted that the gatehouse will be restored and that the refurbishment will be completed in one continuous burst.  This decision will, we hope, secure the future of the pier for generations to come. It could become a magnet for visitors, especially snorkellers.”

Cr O’Connor said that the council understood that the cost of restoring the entire 581 metres pier was prohibitive and that pulling down the whole structure would have been a terrible loss for the local community and Australia’s maritime heritage.

“Truncating the pier past the gatehouse is a sensible compromise. However, it would be terrific to see a walkway to the end of the timber pylons once the decking has been removed.”

Project progress September 2010   

Photo courtesy of Ron Cassano

Additional information is provided at www.majorprojects.vic.gov.au 

 

Built in 1916, the pier has great historical significance as a point of arrival and departure for many migrants and soldiers over the years. 

The project will allow for removal of the southern portion of deck and the first 196m of the pier deck will be replaced together with the restoration of the gatehouse for community uses.  It is planned that the piles at the seaward end of the pier will be preserved as a heritage sculptural centrepiece.

Regular updates will be provided to the community and the project is expected to be completed in 2011.